Draft Design ideas for the Jubilee Garden

2022-07-09T10:25:22+01:00

We have now received further advice from our Garden advisor on ideas for the East-West Section of the Jubilee Memorial Garden. This section presents a number of more complex challenges than the completed one.

The proposals seek to address a number of issues to enable us to create a more beautiful, manageable, and accessible garden.

  • The ground is very stony and full of roots.
  • There are many self seeded weeds and small bushes which, over the years, present a challenge to stop them overwhelming the plaques.
  • As a result, access to the garden has been very difficult, both for visitors and maintenance.
  • The Lime trees cast a lot of shade during the Summer months making the selection of year round planting for colour and interest a challenge.

The two draft ideas below, set out to provide safe, level access to all the areas of the garden, unite the north-south garden with the east -west and provide a place to sit and remember. All plans will  minimise any impact on the plaques which will be restored, as close as possible, to their original positions. As with the north-south section, it will be necessary to temporarily remove them to complete the work. This will be done carefully and methodically.

It is important that all families affected by any of the proposals, understand and accept them so we will be entering a period of consultation and discussion. During this time we welcome all comments , ideas or questions about the project. We currently lack sufficient funds to complete the works and all final ideas must be submitted to Bristol Diocese for permission, so work is unlikley to be agreed or undertaken until late this year at the earliest.

In the meantime, it would be very helpful if everyone takes a look at the draft plans and gives their comments as soon as possible.

You can do this by completing a simple on-line survey

or contacting us Stephen@christchurchswindon.co.uk  (07885 217077)

Draft Idea 1

Give us your view ( opens a short survey)

Total Views: 743Daily Views: 0

Draft Idea 2

Give us your views ( opens a short survey)

Draft Design ideas for the Jubilee Garden2022-07-09T10:25:22+01:00

Platinum Jubilee Celebration and Service

2022-06-10T15:33:06+01:00

Grateful thanks to all those who helped with our Platinum Jubilee Tea Party last Sunday and for those who help to serve refreshments Sunday by Sunday. It was great to get together to celebrate the day in style.

We had a wonderful Old Town Partnership of Churches Jubilee celebration service later, attended, among others, by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Mrs Sarah Troughton, our Mayor Councillor Abdul Amin and Sir Robert Buckland MP. We are very grateful to Rev’d Geoff Gleed for leading our music and to the joint choirs of the Partnership churches for their inspriring singing. You can catch up with the service on our You Tube Channel if you missed it.

We are planning to expand our catering as we prioritise having fun together over the next few months. It’s a great way to get to know everyone and offers of help are always appreciated. Please pray with us for growth in friendship and support in these challenging days.

Please also make a note of our Parish Weekend at home 16th -18th September. where we hope to deepen our social relationships by meeting together and having fun.

Simon and Nicola Stevenette Tel; 01793 529166 for more information..

Platinum Jubilee Celebration and Service2022-06-10T15:33:06+01:00

A Letter from the Stevenette Family

2022-06-10T15:01:09+01:00

John’s funeral and Simon’s compassionate leave

We are enormously grateful for all the love and prayers we have received since John/ Dad’s death on 7th May. We had a wonderful funeral service with Holy Communion at St Leonard’s Sunningwell last Monday. All the family were directly involved in various ways. The only sadness being that Nicola was absent due to having Covid. We are especially grateful to Margaret, Ailsa and Geoff and those behind the scenes who organised such a moving parallel service at Christ Church at the same time. We are deeply touched by your prayers and support which were answered as we were overwhelmed with God’s love, presence, and Resurrection hope.

Bishop Viv has encouraged me to take a fortnight’s compassionate leave, to reflect on all that has happened for us as a family this year. This will be from Friday 17th June- Saturday 2nd July.

Thank you for your understanding. Please continue to remember us in your prayers and to support the Staff Team in all they are doing to cover my absence.

Every blessing

Simon

A Letter from the Stevenette Family2022-06-10T15:01:09+01:00

The Revd John Stevenette

2022-05-13T15:15:13+01:00

 A letter from Simon

My father John died peacefully at Princess Lodge Nursing Home, Swindon on Saturday 7th May at 8.20pm aged 91 years old. Thank you for your support, kindness and prayers especially over the last two and half years whilst my dad was living with us at the Vicarage and after his fall, at the Nursing Home, where he received excellent care.

John was ordained 22nd December 1961. We celebrated his 40th and 50th Ordination anniversaries at Christ Church with friends coming from all the six parishes in which he served during his Stipendiary Ministry.

Mum and Dad retired to Abingdon in 1999 and John was given permission to officiate in the Bristol Diocese. He joined the staff team at Christ Church and regularly led worship across the Swindon Deanery until 2012 when he finally retired. He loved his time ministering here and getting to know you.

His funeral service, with Holy Communion, will take place at St Leonard’s Church, Sunningwell near  Abingdon, where Angela is buried, on Monday 6th June at 12 noon. As with Mum, there will be a parallel service at Christ Church at 12 noon, led by members of the Christ Church staff team for Swindon friends to which all are welcome

Please pass the word around and remember us in your prayers on that day.

The words on John and Angela’s headstone sum up their legacy.

‘Their generosity of spirit knew no bounds’.

As John rests in peace may he rise in glory.

Every blessing and thanks again

Simon

The Revd John Stevenette2022-05-13T15:15:13+01:00

Try our Eco Quiz

2022-05-13T15:15:26+01:00

Grass Management at Christ Church

Some of our grass areas are being managed as part of a wider Land Management Plan.They will not be cut until later in the Summer to encourage the development of more, native, wildflower species. The longer grass will, in turn, help our invertebrates, birds and animals by providing valuable food sources and cover.

We understand that some may find the uncut grass unsightly but, as custodians of God’s creation, we feel we must do all we can to protect it and encourage it to flourish.

If you would like to talk to us about our plans, or join our team of volunteers, you can contact us at parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk or via 01793 522832

Try our Eco Quiz2022-05-13T15:15:26+01:00

Christ Church Eco Land Management Plan

2022-05-06T18:07:16+01:00

As part of our response to the need to take more care of God’s planet, we have begun work on a Land Management Plan. Taking advice from a range of local experts and enthusiasts, we have surveyed our Church and Burial grounds, looking for ways to encourage wildlife and plant diversity.

In the process, we have discovered some valuable ancient grassland which we can manage carefully to encourage more native species that will be beneficial to pollinators and other wildlife. This will involve stopping our intensive mowing programme in certain areas, to allow certain species, such as the Cuckoo flower below to establish. It and other native species provide valuable larval food. The careful management of these areas of grass can prevent it from being invaded by more vigorous plants that can overwhelm and replace what is a vital habitat for birds, invertebrates and animals.

In most situations, July is the best time for cutting, with a further cut in September/October often being beneficial. However, cutting times can be varied to suit local conditions. After cutting, it is very important to rake off and remove the clippings. If left on, they can smother delicate plants and increase fertility which encourages rank growth at the expense of wildflowers. If clippings are left to dry for a few days after cutting, flowers can shed any ripe seed and insects are able to make their escape.

 

Cuckoo Flower or Ladies Smock - Janet French

P1000917

Buttercups - Janet French

Bluebell Janet French

Vetch

Vetch - Janet French

pathways1

Pathways are cut to allow access without damaging the plants - Chris Smith

Christ Church Eco Land Management Plan2022-05-06T18:07:16+01:00

Sunday Club is back

2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

We hold an All Age Service on the first Sunday of each month to which families are invited to join in with an informal worship suitable for all. Every other sunday during term time, we hold a Sunday Club. All children over the age of 3 years (parents welcome too)join in games, crafts, stories and much more.

Families are encouraged to meet in church for the morning service at 10 am. This allows the children to experience a taste of our worship before moving to the Community Centre, just next door, following the Children’s Talk. They will then return to their parents in time to receive a blessing during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Read our Young Families Newsletter

Each week we record the children’s talk and provide simple colouring and activity sheets for them. You can find them on our Children’s Page

Sunday Club is back2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

The 9th Old Town Beer Festival

2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

This year marks the return of our popular Beer Festival – bigger and better than ever. Started by a former curate Gareth Hutchinson, now rector for Desford and Kirby Muxloe in Leicestershire, the festival has gained increasing momentum under the watchful eye of Chris Smith our Community Development Manager.

We are regularly asked why a church should run such an event so it’s worth outlining why we do.

1. It brings many hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds into the church and it’s grounds and it gives us an opportunity to engage with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Many conversations are held with those who, in other circumstances, would never think of entering a church.

2. It gives us a chance to demonstrate that we are outward looking and inclusive – not just here for a few people on a Sunday. We are at the centre of our community.

3. It’s profits are valuable source of income for the church and it’s work.

Out of the Ashes Concert

This year, we are trying something a little different, on Sunday 15th at 6 pm, to round off the festival. Our Out of the Ashes event is a concert of Jazz, Blues, R&B with Gospel Roots. Out of the Ashes is the creation of a pioneering husband and wife team from Gloucestershire – Penny Lyon and Kevin Washburn. You can either see them performing as a duo, or, for bigger venues like ours, they may have anything up to a nine piece band accompanying them.

Using music as part of their mission to stand for joy, healing and worth in the church, God has put it on their hearts to energise weary Christians and ailing congregations with a message of love, hope and renewed possibilities. Tickets are £10 and this includes beer, cider and snacks ( you’ll be helping us clear up what’s left after the festival!) Profits support the work of the church.

You can buy tickets for both the Beer Festival and the Out of the Ashes Concert from Chris Smith in the Community Centre Tel 617237 ( or online here)

So even if you are not a fan of beer or festivals – come along on Sunday 15th at 6pm and experience a concert of joyful, hope-filled and encouraging music. You can fiind out more about their unique ministry on their webpage here. We have also included a small sample of their music below to give you a flavour.

The 9th Old Town Beer Festival2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Pheonix Enterprises have been shipping out Humanitarian Aid to refugees from Ukraine. Mike Bowden has requested the following items : toys, colouring books, colouring pencils, toiletries, female sanitary products and medical supplies. There is a donation box in the community centre should you wish to contribute. You can also donate to Phoenxi’s work directly here

Volunteers to help sort and box these aids will also be needed please contact mzbowden@btinternet.com for more information.

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Annual Report 2021 & APCM

2022-07-11T10:30:18+01:00

The A.P.C.M. is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. It is actually two meetings the ‘Vestry Meeting’ when we elect Churchwardens for the coming year and the APCM itself which is the business meeting of the Church – like an AGM. This year’s meeting is to be held on Sunday 24th April at 11.30am in the church.

The meeting is open to those on our Electoral Roll. Those at the meeting appoint PCC members, Deanery Synod representatives and accept the audited Church accounts.

It is also an opportunity to look back at the events of the last year and to look together with anticipation at the vision for the coming year.

As part of the meeting, the Annual Report is produced. This is the record of our financial and pastoral achievements in 2021 and also lays out our vision and strategies for the coming year.

Download the Annual Report here

Annual Report 2021 & APCM2022-07-11T10:30:18+01:00

Christian Aid New Arrangements-Help Needed

2022-04-14T22:16:53+01:00

Christian Aid Week 2022 – 14th to 21st May

Prior to Covid, during Christian Aid Week there would be a concerted effort nationally to raise funds This was primarily focused on the house-to-house delivery and collection of giving envelopes.

Although the restrictions imposed due to Covid have now been lifted, we do not believe it appropriate to resume house to house collections. However, there is an alternative – delivery only envelopes.

These are delivered with details of where they may be returned. Feedback has shown that, while you may not receive as many, the envelopes returned contain more and to have the gift aid completed. The overall total collected being therefore very similar to previous years.

Please consider delivering these envelopes in your own road or street. Contact Mike Palmer, on 01793 635112. If we get enough volunteer deliverers then the burden can be spread evenly amongst everyone.

See a list of Streets that we are responsible for.

Christian Aid New Arrangements-Help Needed2022-04-14T22:16:53+01:00

All you need to know about our Easter Season

2022-04-08T17:14:14+01:00

After the lull of Covid, there is a lot beginning to happen in and around Christ Church.

We remain committed to balancing our Eco strategies with good communications. and so avoid printing unecessary paper where we can.

We have produced a downloadable leaflet on our Services and Events over the Easter Season.

All you need to know about our Easter Season2022-04-08T17:14:14+01:00
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top